This week's Torah portion, Korach, describes the episode where Korach organized a rebellion against Moses, questioning Moses' authority and the appointment of Moses' brother, Aaron, as the High Priest. Even after Korach and his followers were swallowed up by the earth, quashing his rebellion, the legitimacy of Aaron's appointment as High Priest remained in question. It was firmly established only after G-d told Moses to take a staff from the leader of each of the twelve tribes and place them in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle; the staff of the one chosen by G-d would blossom. Moses followed G-d's instructions, and lo and behold, "On the next day, Moses came to the Tent of the Testimony and the staff of Aaron of the house of Levi had blossomed; it brought forth a blossom, sprouted a bud and almonds ripened." (Numbers 17: 23)

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, of blessed memory, made a keen observation concerning this incident. Typically, by the time an almond tree produces almonds, the blossoms that precede it have already withered and fallen off. Yet, in the case of Aaron, the Torah specifically states that not only did Aaron's staff have almonds growing from it, but the buds and blossoms remained intact, as well! Rabbi Feinstein suggests that this teaches us that unlike the realm of material pursuits, where a person's success is based upon how much he or she produces, when it comes to matters of spirituality and personal growth one is not judged solely on the basis of the final result. Rather, a person is rewarded for all of the effort, toil and hard work that they put in to their spiritual growth, regardless of whether or not those efforts bear fruit in the long run.

We should always bear in mind that the time and effort devoted to Torah study, Mitzvah observance, and spiritual growth are the best investments a person can make. It's a win-win proposition! In G-d's eyes you're a winner as long as you put your best foot forward and give it all you've got. If you do succeed in achieving your spiritual goals, that's just the almond icing on the cake! �